• The initiative will effectively make the traffic smoother across the city
• The fare will be variable based on the distance travelled and demand for the service.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recently rolled out Bus Pooling initiative enabling passengers to share minibus rides through a booking system on smart apps. This initiative aims to provide residents and visitors with a convenient, fast, and innovative transportation solution. The project is being implemented in collaboration with three companies specialised in public transport systems, both locally and internationally.
The initiative highlights RTA’s commitment to expanding, improving, and enhancing Dubai’s public transportation network while catering the needs of the city’s residents and visitors. The scope of this initiative is expected to expand in the future to cover additional routes and areas, aiming to establish a sustainable and efficient transportation system across the city.
Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency stated: “This initiative, aims to attract new segments of the community by offering a fast and convenient transport option that, in many cases, eliminates reliance on private vehicles. It will also practically contribute to make the traffic smoother on the city’s roads.
“The service -operates without fixed routes unlike public buses. Initially, it will be available in Deira, connecting to central business districts such as Business Bay, Dubai Mall, Mirdif, and Dubai Festival City. The plan is to gradually expand the service to cover all parts of the emirate.”
To deliver advanced and reliable transportation services to wide range of users, RTA has partnered with three specialised companies to provide this service using minibuses with competitive, dynamic fares. The service will cover various areas of Dubai, offering routes that cater to passenger needs. Additionally, the service provides passengers with options for single trips or weekly and monthly subscriptions.
“These minibuses will operate on demand, with bookings facilitated through three smart applications: Citylink Shuttle, DrivenBus, and Fluxx Daily, managed by three specialised companies evenly distributed among three companies, with each company operating and managing 20 minibuses through the designated apps.,” added Bahrozyan.
The seating capacity of these buses range between (13) to (30) passengers. The fare will be variable, based on the distance travelled and demand for the service.
Bahrozyan added: “This initiative aims to provide licensed transport options for passengers, encouraging them to use authorised means of transport instead of unlicensed alternatives. It also aligns with RTA’s strategic goals of achieving integration, fostering innovative mobility, and anticipating the future of sustainable transportation. This project keeps pace with global public transportation trends by increasingly relying on advanced technologies to deliver cost-effective, on-demand services. Moreover, it contributes to reducing traffic congestion by offering an efficient, safe, fast, and comfortable transport solution.
“This initiative is one of the latest innovations in public transportation. It offers a flexible and user-friendly solution for passengers, allowing commuters to pre-book seats through smart apps and benefit from the minibus service, which provides flexible journeys with a predefined schedule,” he confirmed.